Road Trip Part 2: Learning about Laura

When I was a kid, I read and devoured a set of yellow paperback versions of Laura Ignalls Wilder's books (Little House in the Big Woods, Little House on the Prairie, etc.). I still have those well thumbed paperbacks - I think I read some of them multiple times because I enjoyed the simple pleasures of the world they created. As part of my cross country trip, I decided to visit several of the places Laura lived. While some of the museums were hokey, it was cool to see the actual sites of where the events of the books took place. As I traveled, I also listened to the audiobook of the Pulitzer Prize winning biography of Laura: "Prairie Fires" by Caroline Fraser. I learned a lot about Laura's relationship with her daughter Rose. Rose (a writer in her own right) edited and shaped many of the Little House books. I didn't realize that Laura didn't start publishing her books until she was in her 60s! Prairie Fires was interesting listening as I traveled through the actual geography of the places Laura lived and wrote about, I highly recommend it if you are interested in the context of Laura's life.

Statue of Laura in DeSmet, SD

Pepin, Wisconsin

There was a little museum here, which isn't really worth your time (though admittance is only $5). I did enjoy seeing the recreation of "Little House in the Big Woods" - which was literally just at a rest stop at the side of the road and thus free. That is the book I've read most recently. It was also just cool to drive through the countryside, including the swampy area near the river, and imagine Ma and Pa and Mary and Laura in their cabin in the late 1800s.

"Little House In the Big Woods"

Looking Out Over the River near Pepin, WI

Walnut Grove, Minnesota

A store Pa Ignalls helped build in Walnut Grove

This museum actually did have some artifacts from Laura's and the Ignalls Family's life, as well as numerous artifacts of the TV series (I'm not a fan of the TV series - the few episodes I've seen were too corny for me). The museum area also had a recreation of several buildings in Laura's life. While the museum was run down, it would be worth it if you love the TV show, or are just super interested in Laura.

Display showing Laura's books in several languages - they've sold all over the world!

Me, Eating A Plum On the Banks of Plum Creek (and generally being a nerd)

Site of the Dugout on Plum Creek

The highlight of the Minnesota stop was visiting the actual site of the dugout featured in the book "On the Banks of Plum Creek." It was a nice area to walk around in and I don't think it's really much changed since Laura's time - I took a nice walk through a nearby meadow and saw lots of butterflies and wildflowers. 

Plum Creek

De Smet, South Dakota

This the site I probably enjoyed the most from a historical perspective - best tour (given by a high schooler!), and lots of actual historical buildings - the surveyor's house where the Ignalls family lived, the house Ma and Pa retired to, etc. There is also the homestead site outside town where the trees planted by Pa "On the Shores of Silver Lake" still stand.

Surveyor's House, where Ignalls family lived for one winter in De Smet

The House where Ma and Pa "retired" in downtown De Smet

Some of the trees Pa planted "on the banks of Silver Lake"

All the sites are pretty out of the way from everywhere else, but it was still fun to retrace Laura's steps and feel nostalgic about reading the books as a pre-teen/teenager. A nice way to pass the time while crossing the country!

Road Trip Part 1: Suffrage Sites

Hi Y'all! As you have seen, I have not posted much regarding my sabbatical - unfortunately I have spent most of it reading silly books and procrastinating important decisions. But, a week ago I set out on my epic road trip - covering thousands of miles and practically a whole continent! 

On my way to the main attractions (Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton National Parks), I stopped at a few suffrage historical sites along the way. As you all know, I'm a huge nerd for suffrage history, and I've organized/led suffrage walking tours of Washington, DC covering the involvement of Mormon women in the suffrage movement. So, without further ado, here are some pictures and details of the suffrage sites I visited. I'm currently debating whether I want to spend the money to stay in the very ritzy Hermitage Hotel in Nashville, where the suffragists plotted their campaign to get Tennessee to ratify the 19th amendment (Tennessee was the final state they needed to ratify so that women could vote in the 1920 election). 

Harriet Taylor Upton's Home in Warren, Ohio

It's a safe bet that most of you haven't heard of Harriet Taylor Upton, but she was an instrumental figure in the women's suffrage movement. She was treasurer of the national suffrage association for over 15 years, and for a period close to a decade, the national association's headquarters was in her hometown of Warren, Ohio so she could run the office. Harriet was also big in Republican party politics, as her father was a congressman. In her (huge) dining room in (tiny) Warren, OH, Harriet entertained 4 Republican presidents. During the 1920 campaign, Harriet was the one who held Warren G. Harding's feet to the fire and made sure he did everything he could for suffrage (at the time, she was the highest ranking woman in the Republican party). 

Harriet's House!

The house was nice and well maintained by a local Harriet Taylor Upton society (they rent it out for events). While there, I bought a copy of Harriet's "Random Recollections" - some of her memories. I wish she would have written more about her suffrage activities - she barely mentions her treasurer duties, and as an accountant, I am professionally interested. But here are a few of my favorite moments:

Harriet's huge dining room. I swear you could probably seat 30 people comfortably in this room.

- She woke up Carrie Chapman Catt in the middle of the night so that CCC could help re-enact a funny story Harriet was telling to the other suffragists traveling with them. Harriet was renown for her sense of humor and ability to make people laugh. (pg. 113)

Harriet's study, which displayed letters she wrote and received from Republican Presidents, including Calvin Coolidge

- She noted that women had to be "politicians before they were voters." Her memoirs are full of trenchant political analysis that still applies today. "Legislators may be leaders, but more often they seem to be followers." (pg. 106) Writing of an episode where one senator encouraged her to make up stories about another senator to blackmail him to the suffrage cause, she writes: "Why do sensible people put fools - really mentally lacking fools - in office?" (pg 144)

- She was in the congressional gallery with Susan B. Anthony when Wyoming was accepted as a state, with women enshrined as voters in that state's constitution. Susan B. Anthony said to her "it is the beginning of the end." (pg 107) I have to admit I teared up a bit at that.

- In describing Elizabeth Cady Stanton, she said "She was humorous, logical, and an agitator. She loved to stir up things, leaving the straightening out to Miss Anthony. She was not an organizer. The agitator in any reform precedes the organizer." (pg. 93)

- Speaking of her battle to get Tennessee Republicans to ratify the 19th amendment, she said: "I was to trust them and encourage them and keep calm if possible (it was not possible). And to be hopeful and happy if possible (and it wasn't possible)." 

Harriet's ashes are buried in her garden - she loved gardening.

If you're interested in learning more about Harriet, there are two really short episodes of the Mercantile Library's Podcast "Genius of Liberty" which talk about Harriet and her contributions - see episodes 9 and 10 (the whole podcast is great - lots of interesting suffrage history nuggets in short bursts!).

Sojourner Truth - Statute (Battle Creek, MI) and Plaque (Akron, OH)

Sojourner Truth is probably someone you already know, but did you know she fought a court case for her children's freedom after they were illegally sold down south? She was also a powerful speaker on behalf of abolition and women's rights. She gave her famous "Ain't I a Woman?" speech in Akron, OH, and there is a plaque there memorializing where it happened. Kerry Washington performed part of Sojourner's speech in this video. There is some controversy over whether the text was modified, as the most famous version of the speech was written down many years after the convention where Sojourner spoke. Currently, money is being raised to erect a statue of Sojourner on this site - you can donate here if you are interested.

Plaque where Sojourner gave her 1851 speech in Akron, OH

Sojourner spent the last years of her life in Battle Creek, Michigan, and there is a 16 foot high statute of her there. She's also buried there, but I didn't get to see her grave as the cemetery was closed the day I was there. You can learn more about Sojourner in this TED Video - I appreciated especially her faith in God.

Sojourner's Statute in Battle Creek, MI

Ida B. Wells-Barnett Home, Chicago, Illinois

Today this is just someone's private residence, but for over a decade in the early 20th century, this stone townhouse in Chicago (near the White Sox stadium) was home to one of the 19th and 20th century's fiercest anti-lynching writers, who was also a suffragist. Ida B. Wells-Barnett is just an amazing lady, and I was glad I could stop by her house and remember her amazing contributions. If you're interested in learning more about her, this podcast episode was really good.

Ida's Chicago Home

Frances Willard's Home, Evanston, Illinois

Not far away from Ida's home, just north of Chicago, was the home of another legendary progressive activist, Frances Willard. Frances was the head of the Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) for decades. Her home is now a museum with many of her belongings still there. This tour was really good - the docent leading the tour knew so much about Frances and was able to answer all my questions, I was really impressed - it helped that it was a tour just for me and their new intern.

Frances' "cottage" in Evanston

Frances urged WCTU members to get involved in politics and suffrage. The tour noted that the WCTU got many more conservative women into the movement - the WCTU was a respectable way for women to become more involved in political matters and served as a "gateway drug" to more progressive and radical reforms. For more info you can check out this online essay and this online exhibit. The museum also has an online exhibit about the clash between Frances Willard and Ida B. Wells-Barnett - Ida called out Frances on her racism.

Actual photo of Frances at work - she wasn't afraid of clutter!

Frances' Study - much neater than in life!

While there, I purchased a short book by Frances: "How I Learned to Ride the Bicycle." It was a fun little book (her part was only 80 pages), but there were also some interesting scholarly essays talking about the context of women riding bicycles in the 19th century, which was fascinating.

Frances named her bicycle "Gladys" because it brought her gladness/joy!

Carrie Chapman Catt's Home, Charles City, Iowa

Cornfield across the road from Carrie's House

19 apple trees planted on Carrie's land to commemorate the 19th Amendment centennial last year

Not surprisingly for Iowa, Carrie Chapman Catt's home was surrounded by cornfields. For those of you who don't know, Carrie was Susan B. Anthony's hand-picked successor and the one who ultimately lead the National American Women's Suffrage Association to victory in 1919 and 1920 (I should note, Alice Paul led the more radical Women's Party at the same time, and deserves some of the credit for the victory too). Carrie was good friends with Harriet Taylor Upton, too. Carrie is one of the suffragists I admire the most, and this was the museum I was most looking forward to visiting because of that. 

Carrie's Childhood Home

This museum was interesting - instead of setting up furniture in the rooms of the house where Carrie grew up, the museum organizers had a local college put together displays walking through her life and quotes inside the house - so it was like walking through a timeline of Carrie's life. Unfortunately pictures were not allowed inside, but I did learn lots of interesting facts about Carrie - she was also a peace activist who met Gandhi! I did like seeing Carrie's "victory dresses" - she liked to commission blue dresses to celebrate suffrage victories.

In the unlikely event you've made it this far, thanks for reading my travelogue! More to come on the Laura Ignalls Wilder sites I visited, and of course the National Parks I'm currently spending time in. I'll close with a picture of the fireplace in Frances Willard's study, which quotes a poem by John Whitcomb Riley, reminding us to speak well of others - it's an inspiring message that can help us get things done instead of focusing on the negative.

"Let Something Good Be Said"

Anybody Have A Map?

Starting today, I am taking a 2.5 month sabbatical from work. I haven't told a lot of people about it, because a part of me feels like it's an admission of failure - that I just can't deal with "adulting" like everyone else seems to be able to. The other reason I feel guilty about it is that it's a privilege very few would have - most jobs wouldn't allow you to take this much time off work.

All that being said, I hit a wall. Some of it is COVID, but some of it is working for 12+ years at a demanding job with long hours. So, I really need this right now in my life, and maybe that makes me weak - but each of us has moments of weakness, and it's okay to not be okay sometimes.

As I've thought about what I want to accomplish during this sabbatical, I've realized that there are literally hundreds of things I *could* do - lots of little tasks I never seem to find time for. I'm making a list of those, and my goal is to do one of those things per day. Even little things like cleaning/organizing the linen closet will at least make me feel like I am not wasting this time. It would be easy to let this time slip by in reading/watching TV (though I will no doubt also be doing plenty of that), but it would be a waste to let that be ALL I do with this once in a lifetime opportunity. At the same time, I want to be kind with myself, and realize that not everything on the list may get done, and that is okay.

With goals and new year's resolutions, I've learned that the simplest goals are the best. I've also learned that I can only do a few goals at a time. Thus, I have three incontrovertible rules that I'm going to stick to during my sabbatical. I don't know if I'll share all of them here, as they are personal, but one of them is to unplug from time wasting apps on my phone. So, over the weekend, I deleted Facebook, Instagram, Jewels, Nerts, and Twitter from my phone. You are probably familiar with the social media apps, Jewels and Nerts are the games I play when I'm bored. I'm debating whether to delete the Kindle app (I might do it temporarily until I read all the physical books in my "to read" pile).

Social media has been a double edged sword for me for a long time - I'm grateful to use it to know how my friends are doing, especially the ones who don't live near me. But, all too often it becomes a trigger for jealousy/envy and it also lets me pretend to be a good friend without interacting with people in real life. The games apps have been taking up way too much time and are completely useless.

Other than my "Optional Tasks List" and "Three Incontrovertible Rules," I'm not really setting an agenda for this time. I'm hoping to have fun and not think much about tax accounting. So, it kind of feels like setting off on a journey without a map. The song "Anybody Have a Map?" from the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen has been running through my mind.

Even though the song is about parenting challenges, and I'm not a parent, it really speaks to the fact that I have no idea what I'm doing. These lyrics stick out to me:

Does anybody have a map?

Anybody maybe happen to know how the hell to do this?

I don't know if you can tell

But this is me just pretending to know

So where's the map?

I need a clue

'Cause the scary truth is

I'm flying blind

And I'm making this up as I go

It is a scary truth to acknowledge I'm struggling and not really know how to fix it or where I'll end up. But I'm so lucky to have this time and I'm looking forward to some great trips I have planned, and skipping basically all of my adult responsibilities this summer.

As I will have a lot of "free time" this summer - feel free to share recommendations on:

- Podcasts I should listen to

- Shows/movies I should watch

- Day trips or fun places to visit in the DC area

- Restaurants I should try

- Your favorite complicated recipes I should attempt

- Books I should read (although I have plenty of those already)

Blogging is on the "optional task list" - so you may or may not see more of me in this space this summer. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading. I would love to hear from you via text, phone, or email if you have time to catch-up.